> reporter: while some of the president's most prominent items fallwell below the economy in budget deficits, among americans' top concerns, mr. obama is expected to cast them in economic terms as well, citing among other things, the benefits of attracting the world's best minds. the president's tone will matter, too, as he faces a choice between confrontation and compromise. >> he can continue the approach he's taken, which is very much an outside game, pressure the congress, turn up the heat. or he can go for a more conciliatory approach in this speech. >> reporter: the president will follow up his speech by taking his state of the union message on the road. he has three stops after the speech. they are asheville, north carolina, atlanta, georgia, winding down in his hometown of chicago. >> thank you, peter. we want to remind everyone, nbc news will have live coverage of the state of the union address tuesday at 9:00 eastern. >>> gunfire erupted on new orleans' famed bourbon street overnight, wounding four people and sending mardi gras revelers running for cover. police said the shooting f